Iran president: We have been "victims of terrorism"

Josephine Walker

President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian holds up a poster of a girl's school that was attacked while addressing the 81st session of the United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly at U.N. Headquarters on September 23, 2026 in New York City. — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian holds up a poster of a girl's school that was attacked while addressing the U.N. on September 23, 2026. Photo: Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian forcefully rejected President Trump's portrayal of Iran as a source of terrorism at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, insisting instead that Iranians are "victims of terrorism."

Why it matters: Pezeshkian used one of the world's biggest diplomatic stages to directly challenge Trump on U.S. soil — as the U.S.-Israel war with Iran rages on.

What he's saying: "The United States president described us as terrorists," Pezeshkian said in a roughly 18-minute speech.

"We have been the victims of terrorism… Those who are terrorists and train and protect terrorists describe us as such. We have only defended ourselves. We are not terrorists."

"Our innocent people have been the targets of cowardly attacks and aggressions imposed upon our country, and we defended ourselves with utmost strength," he said.
"We live in a world in which the powerful, instead of thinking about humanity, justice, fairness, and democracy, they seem to be the protectors and creators of instability and destruction."

Zoom in: Pezeshkian cited attacks that he blamed on the U.S., including strikes that killed children.

He pointed to the deaths of more than 150 Iranians at an elementary school in Minab, including more than 120 children.
A recent UN report found "reasonable grounds to believe" the U.S. committed a war crime in the strike.
While the U.S. has not released findings of an investigation related to the attack, the AP has found evidence that at least one U.S. missile struck the school.
Pezeshkian also mentioned the alleged deaths of children playing at a sports hall and an adjacent school after they were struck by a U.S.-made ballistic missile.

Between the lines: The same UN report found that Iran's crackdown on protesters likely constituted "crimes against humanity."

The report cited tactics including "murder, imprisonment, torture and other inhumane acts" as "part of a widespread and systematic attack against civilians."

What to watch: U.S. and Iranian officials held three hours of indirect talks on the sidelines of the UN on Tuesday, with Trump calling the meeting "very productive" and suggestions a deal remains possible.

Iran has downplayed the breakthrough, saying its negotiating position has not changed — underscoring how far apart the two sides remain even as diplomacy continues.

Go deeper: UN report: U.S. may have committed war crimes in Iran

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Iran president: We have been "victims of terrorism"

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